Translation guide
Describes the sensation of dizziness, lightheadedness, or vertigo. Japanese has several common expressions that differ by nuance: spinning vertigo, feeling faint, or general unsteadiness.
The room or surroundings seem to spin around you.
Literally 'eyes spin'. The most common way to say you feel dizzy, especially when the world seems to spin.
急に立ち上がったら、目が回った。
When I stood up suddenly, I got dizzy.
Noun meaning dizziness or vertigo. Often used with する to mean 'feel dizzy'.
めまいがして、立っていられなかった。
I felt dizzy and couldn't stand.
Onomatopoeic expression for a lightheaded, spinning sensation. Often used when feeling faint.
頭がくらくらして、座り込んだ。
My head was spinning, so I sat down.
About to faint, vision going dark, or feeling weak and unsteady.
Specifically dizziness upon standing up (orthostatic hypotension). Very common.
立ちくらみがして、目の前が真っ暗になった。
I got dizzy standing up and everything went black.
Literally 'cause anemia'. Used when dizziness is from low blood pressure or anemia.
貧血を起こして倒れそうになった。
I got dizzy from anemia and almost collapsed.
Onomatopoeic for feeling unsteady, lightheaded, or about to faint. Can also mean staggering.
熱でふらふらする。
I feel dizzy and weak from the fever.
Feeling wobbly, off-balance, or like you might fall.
Formal/medical term for losing one's sense of balance.
耳の感染症で平衡感覚を失った。
I lost my balance due to an ear infection.
Onomatopoeic for staggering or tottering, often from dizziness or weakness.
めまいでよろよろと歩いた。
I walked unsteadily because of dizziness.
目が回る emphasizes a spinning sensation (vertigo), while めまいがする is a broader term for dizziness including lightheadedness. Use 目が回る when the room seems to spin.
遊園地のコーヒーカップで目が回った。
I got dizzy on the teacup ride at the amusement park.
疲れでめまいがした。
I felt dizzy from fatigue.
めまい is a noun, so 'I am dizziness' is unnatural. Use めまいがする (I have dizziness) instead.
高いところから下を見ると、目が回る。
I get dizzy when I look down from high places.
彼女はめまいがして、座らなければならなかった。
She felt dizzy and had to sit down.